If the conditions are just right — usually after that first warm spell in early March when the snow melts and the ground thaws, or perhaps during the first heavy rain in late February — an incredible event takes place at only a few locations in the Poconos.

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Posted Apr. 20, 2014 at 12:01 AM

Posted Apr. 20, 2014 at 12:01 AM

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If the conditions are just right — usually after that first warm spell in early March when the snow melts and the ground thaws, or perhaps during the first heavy rain in late February — an incredible event takes place at only a few locations in the Poconos.

During these warm and rainy episodes emerges one of our rarest amphibians, the Jefferson salamander.

This amazing animal ventures to the surface after spending the winter hibernating deep underground, and then migrates to woodland ponds or vernal pools to breed.

Jefferson salamanders — often called mole salamanders due to their subterranean lifestyle — live underground throughout the year except during their breeding season.

The Jefferson is one of the largest terrestrial salamanders in the Commonwealth, growing up to 8 inches long. They are typically dark chocolate in color, although some specimens exhibit blue flecks along their sides. The toes of the Jefferson are noticeably long compared to its slender body.

It owns an admirable title as the species was named after Jefferson College, in honor of President Thomas Jefferson.

For such early breeders, what happens when the weather isn't warm and rainy and the forest is still blanketed in snow and the vernal pool still frozen?

On March 28, I decided to check a reliable Jefferson breeding pool at Skytop Lodge, and witnessed those exact conditions, with 10 inches of snow and a frozen vernal pool.

My curiosity got the best of me to see if there was any evidence of breeding activity.

In my perspective, it was impossible for a Jefferson salamander to tunnel through that snow depth, considering the crusty surface was firm enough to support my weight. And the pool was frozen solid, even along the perimeter.

I went back to the car and retrieved my ax and flashlight. The pool still had 3 inches of ice, but I managed to chop an opening in the center of the vernal. I cleared the slush from the hole and shined the flashlight onto the bottom.

Much to my surprise, lying on the muddy bottom were several spermatophores — tiny jelly sperm packets similar to bird droppings that are deposited by the males. Bewildered, I could not figure out how Jefferson salamanders were able to surface from deep snow and enter the frozen vernal pool — or did they travel through underground passageways connected to the bottom of the vernal?

The females typically arrive one week later. They are greeted by the males, which lure them to their cache of spermatophores. The female engulfs the sperm packet, thus fertilizing her eggs as they are being deposited on underwater twigs, branches and grasses. The hot dog-shaped egg masses contain 50 to 100 eggs covered by a clear jelly.

All of this activity happens within one week. Upon egg deposition, Jefferson salamanders retreat to the forest and remain underground.

This short timeframe provided a narrow window of opportunity for me to lead several nature hikes to the Skytop vernal pool and, with any luck, capture a few Jefferson salamanders. Fortunately, the forecast later that week called for very warm weather followed by heavy rain, which would possibly stimulate the females to arrive.

On March 29, the first group of attendees were delighted to see my collection of 46 Jefferson salamanders — remarkably, all were males. The females hadn't arrived.

My next nature program occurred April 5. I led the group to the still-frozen vernal pool and showed my netted collection of an unprecedented 89 Jefferson salamanders! The squiggly, slimy mess of amphibians included both males and females.

I am not sure if my audience was as amazed as I, considering the rarity of this salamander and the environmental conditions it had to contend with just to reach the vernal pool. However, we all agreed that these mysterious cold-blooded amphibians are on a mission. No matter what the temperatures and conditions are outside, the Jefferson salamander will prevail.

They have ingrained instincts and regimented behaviors for species sustainability. March is the month of the Jefferson — my kind of Presidents Day.